Automatic fire lighter



' 1,622,738 March 1927- w. RICHARDSON AUTOMATI C FIRE LIGHTER Filed March 18, 1926 gwbwntoc Patented Mar. 29, 1927.

WALTER RICHARDSON, F BAY CITY, vIVJIICI-IIGAII.

AUTOMATIC FIRE LIGHTER.

Application filed March 18, 1926. Serial No. 95,655.

This invention relates to automatic fire ligl'iters and particularly to a device which can be inserted through the damper of a stove for automatically igniting matches at a predetermined time.

One object of the invention is to design an automatic fire lighter which can be inserted through the damper of a stove, which will withstand the heat to which it is subjected, and which will be positive in operation.

Another object is to design a fire lighter adapted for attachment to a conventional alarm clock.

A further object is to design a very simple, substantial and economical fire lighter which can be adjusted so that proper frictional contact can be securedwith matches of various sizes and lengths.

lVith the above and other objects in view, the present invention consists in the combi nation and arrangement of parts, hereinaftermore fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the form, size, proportion and minor details of construction without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawing.

Fig. 1 is a side view of a conventional alarm clock showing my automatic fire lighter connected thereto.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the fire-lighter only, the clamping member being omitted.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is another vertical sectional view taken on the line t4; of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is also a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is another sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the fire lighter in position under a grate.

Referring now particularly to the drawing, the numeral 5 indicates an alarm clock of the conventional type which is securely mounted on a base 6 in any approved manner, and which is provided with the usual alarm winding key 7 A bracket 8 is rigidly secured to this base 6, the upper end being turned and extending horizontally, and a U-shaped supporting coiled spring 24 being member 9 is detachably secured-thereto being preferably formed of a thin metal to allow it to be stamped, small blocks 10 being secured at each end by means of rivets 10 and form bearings in which a shaft 11 is rotatably mounted on the ends of thetshaft projecting beyond the member 9, the outer end being threaded and a friction wheel 12 is securely mounted thereon, a key engaging member 13 is secure d'to the inner end, and is adapted to det-achably engage the winding key 7 as shown, and by means of which the shaft and friction wheel are actuated :at predetermined intervals, the mechanism being secured in position by means of a clamp 14, which is provided with a set screw 1 1 for holding it in position.

A match block 15 is slidably mounted on the member 9 intermediate its length, the upper end being formed with spaced apart grooves 15 in which the ends ofthe matches 16 are inserted.

A slightly curved plate 17 cooperates with the block 15, the inner end being bent as shown, and is provided with suitable openings adapted to receive the rod 18 which is threaded into the block 15, the inner end of said rod being slidably mounted infia bracket 19 which is mounted on and secured to the member 9 by means of a rivet 20. Spaced apart stops 21 and Y22 are adjustably mounted on this rod 18, and are provided with set screws 23 in the usual manner, a interposed between the bracket and the stop for tensioning the device and properly forcing the head of the matches into engagement with the friction wheel 12and this can be very quickly and easily adjusted by means of the stop 21.

The match block 15 has a limited longitudinal sliding movement on the suporting member 9, the side wall of the member being cut away as shown at 25, and a pin 26 being set in the block to limit the movement thereof, this is necessary to permit the block to be shifted longitudinally (as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1.) to permit the matches to be inserted without interfering with the wheel 12, the matches projecting a short distance through the block to permit of engagement by the thumb of the operator for forcing the burned stub out a distance sufficient to allow the operator to grasp it to remove them from the block.

The device is of a size to allow it to be inserted through the damper of the stove and in under the grate 29 as shown in rig. 7, the clock being placed on the ashpit cover (not shown), and which projects from the front of the stove, the damper can then be closed on the main member 9, leaving a damper opening equal to the width of the said member.

In practice the matches are inserted in the block, the alarm is set and wound, the triotion wheel 10 is then inserted 'hrough the damner and in under the grate, paper and kindling wood are placed on the grate usual, the paper being in close proximity to the wneel, and when the alarm is released, the key rotates, which in turn rotates the wheel 12, the heads of the matches contacting with the scored surface 12 ot the wheel are ignited, and the fire started, the alarm serves the purpose for which it was originally designed, the fire is started and when the person arises, the room is warm and suitable for occupancy.

I wish to direct particular attention to .he fact that the plate 1? has a limited rocking movement to facilitate insertion of the matches, and the subsequent removal of the burned stub.

From the foregoing; description it will be obvious that I have perfected a very simple, economical. safe and effective fire lighter.

What I claim is 1. A. match igniting device comprising the combination with an ala .n clock, of a supporting member, a shaft iournaled therein and having engagement with said clocl: and adapted to be driven thereby a friction wheel mounted on the outer end thereof, and a spring tensioned longitudinally adjustable match block slidably mounted on said supporting member.

2. A match igniting device comprising the combination with an alarm cloclt, ot' a sup porting member, a shaft journaled therein and detachablv engaging the clock and adapted to be driven thereby and a- 'friction wheel on the outer end of the shaft, a lon;g itudinally adjustable match block slidably mounted on the supporting member and in which matches are secured, and resilient. means connected to the blocl-t for forcing the matches into engagen'ient with the wheel.

3. in match ignitingdevice compri ing the combination with an alarm cloclc. a supporting; member; a shaft journalcd therein and detachably engaging the clock and adapted to be driven thereby. a 'i riction wheel on the outer end of the shaft. :1 longitndinznly adjustable match block to be driven by the clock, match receivine; slots therein and means for shifting the block to force the matches into engagement with the wheel.

i. A match igniting device comprising: the combination with an alarm clock. a bracket. a supporting member detachablv secured thereto and detachably engaging said clock, a shaft journaled in the supporting); member. a "friction wheel secured to the outer end thereof, a match blocl' slidablv mounted on the supporting; member, means for limiting the movement thereof. and resilient means connected to said block for torcin the block outwardly.

5. A match i gniting device comprising the combination with an alarm clock, of? a bracket, a supporting member detachablv secured thereto, a shaft journaled in the supporting: member. one end having a U-shaped member adapted to engage the key of a clock, a friction wheel on the opposite end, a match bloclr slidably mounted on the sup porting member and means for limiting the movement thereof, match grooves in the block, a bearing mounted thereon, a spring: actuated rod secured thereto and a plate mounted on the rod and extending over the bloclz, and means for adjusting" the tension on said rod.

In testimony whereof I hereunto atiix my signature.

WALTER RICHirRDSON. 

